Unmanned noodle shop in Shanghai shut down by officials after only a couple of days

The march of progress has been stopped, at least temporarily.After opening for just a few short days last week an innovative unmanned noodle shop in Shanghai was shut down by local authorities on Friday for, guess what, lack of licenses.The shop included a few automated vending machines which could fix customers a full bowl of noodles in 45 seconds flat for only 10 yuan. Last week, footage of the shop in Shanghai’s Xuhui District went viral online with diners apparently relatively pleased with their robo-made fare.

However, local authorities were apparently less satisfied after inspecting the facility.But, not to worry noodles lovers, according to the Southern Metropolis Daily, the vending machines may start back up again, just as soon as owners obtain all the necessary documents and permits — which they apparently didn’t think to procure before.A notice posted on one of the machines says that the shop’s “trial operation” has come to an end, but that it will reopen soon after earning the approval of Shanghai’s Food and Drug Administration.In the meantime, if you’re looking for cheap noodle soup that tastes like it’s been made by a hunk of metal, better head to Family Mart.By Máté Mohos[Images via CGTN / Southern Metropolis Daily]